Model-independent unbinned analysis of $B \to K^*(\to K^+π^-)μ^+μ^-$: zeroes, bounds, Wilson coefficients and symmetries

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Main Authors: Capdevila, Bernat, Matias, Joaquim, Novoa-Brunet, Martín, Patel, Mitesh, Smith, Mark
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Capdevila, Bernat
Matias, Joaquim
Novoa-Brunet, Martín
Patel, Mitesh
Smith, Mark
author_facet Capdevila, Bernat
Matias, Joaquim
Novoa-Brunet, Martín
Patel, Mitesh
Smith, Mark
contents We present a model-independent method to study the four-body decay $B\to K^*(\to K^+π^-)μ^+μ^-$, based on extracting continuous observables with a moments approach. The method allows the observables to be determined unbinned in both the dilepton and $K^+π^-$ invariant masses on which the decay dynamics depend. This will allow the method to shed new light on how the observables depend on the P- and S-wave contributions to the $K^+π^-$ system. This approach contrasts with the state-of-the-art analyses, which bin in dilepton and $K^+π^-$ mass, or use a model for the dependence of the underlying decay amplitudes on these masses. The method does not require making a statistical fit, and so avoids problems of biases and poor uncertainty estimation when dealing with small samples or a large number of fit parameters. We provide the Standard Model predictions for the unbinned optimised observables, derive new geometrical bounds on their values and study the robustness of these bounds in the presence of a scalar new physics contribution. We explore the zero-crossing points of $P_2$ and $P_{4,5}^\prime$ observables as a function of a new physics contribution to the dominant vector Wilson coefficient, $C_9^{\rm NP}$. We also discuss the conditions that can be used to test the theoretical model of the amplitudes needed for an experimental amplitude analysis. Finally, as an illustration, we show how the proposed method might be used to extract the zero-crossing points, make a comparison with the bounds and test a non-trivial relation between the observable values.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_00949
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Model-independent unbinned analysis of $B \to K^*(\to K^+π^-)μ^+μ^-$: zeroes, bounds, Wilson coefficients and symmetries
Capdevila, Bernat
Matias, Joaquim
Novoa-Brunet, Martín
Patel, Mitesh
Smith, Mark
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
High Energy Physics - Experiment
We present a model-independent method to study the four-body decay $B\to K^*(\to K^+π^-)μ^+μ^-$, based on extracting continuous observables with a moments approach. The method allows the observables to be determined unbinned in both the dilepton and $K^+π^-$ invariant masses on which the decay dynamics depend. This will allow the method to shed new light on how the observables depend on the P- and S-wave contributions to the $K^+π^-$ system. This approach contrasts with the state-of-the-art analyses, which bin in dilepton and $K^+π^-$ mass, or use a model for the dependence of the underlying decay amplitudes on these masses. The method does not require making a statistical fit, and so avoids problems of biases and poor uncertainty estimation when dealing with small samples or a large number of fit parameters. We provide the Standard Model predictions for the unbinned optimised observables, derive new geometrical bounds on their values and study the robustness of these bounds in the presence of a scalar new physics contribution. We explore the zero-crossing points of $P_2$ and $P_{4,5}^\prime$ observables as a function of a new physics contribution to the dominant vector Wilson coefficient, $C_9^{\rm NP}$. We also discuss the conditions that can be used to test the theoretical model of the amplitudes needed for an experimental amplitude analysis. Finally, as an illustration, we show how the proposed method might be used to extract the zero-crossing points, make a comparison with the bounds and test a non-trivial relation between the observable values.
title Model-independent unbinned analysis of $B \to K^*(\to K^+π^-)μ^+μ^-$: zeroes, bounds, Wilson coefficients and symmetries
topic High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
High Energy Physics - Experiment
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.00949